Hi,
I need to travel to Germany in May with my Bitch (for mating) and so far I have only found one way - go to France on the Eurotunnel and drive to Germany. Am I missing something or is their an easier way please!! I do not want to fly with an in season Bitch, so am looking at ferry routes or driving. I am hoping that someone must have done the same trip. Thanks in advance! 

Harwich to Hook of Holland is a much shorter drive on the wrong side of the road :-)

You can go ferry Dover to Calais or Dover to Dunkirk, or Harwich to Hook van Holland.

I'd opt to do dover Calais as shortest crossing only 45 minutes, as I would be worrying about heat come May.  Despite the added difficulties I have taken my two foreign mating trips in the colder weather.

My only worry is the heat and the fact she will have to be left in the car on the ferry. I would like to stay with her in the car but I don't think I am allowed for safety reasons.

Go from Harwich to Hoek van Holland, pick a night crossing -then you know it won't be hot. You sleep in a cabin (saves you getting bored anyway!), the dog sleeps in the car (way better than the so called kennels -read small wire cages -they have onboard), you arrive in the morning, and have loads of time to drive to Germany which of course is next door to Holland. When we did it this way (that was end of June that year so a warm month ) we made it all the way to Sweden from Holland in the same day so all through Denmark as well.

Where in Germany do you need to go?  That makes a difference in choosing your entry point into Europe.  The Harwich - Hook of H route is almost 7 hrs of sailing time and really it is quicker overall to go Dover to Dunkerque and then into Germany, at least 35 minutes closer than Calais.  The Hook of H decks can get very stuffy on summer crossings day and night.

I echo comments above .. depends on where in Germany your heading. I am off to Dortmund in May and going via tunnel but dover dunkirk would be ok. For anywhere south of Dortmund ( Franckfurt/ Stuttgart or out towards Czech border ) would choose that route. If heading north or East of Germany - eg Hamburg / Berlin  would probably go to Hook Holland.  If you don't facy leaving the dog in the car the on board kennels are lovely on the new ships and there is CCTV so you can keep an eye on dogs from your cabin. Every time I have travelled never anything in kennels, think most folks leaves dogs in car

good luck

k

I'd like to echo klb about the kennels on the new Harwich ferries, much MUCH better than the old ones, clean, purpose built into the ship rather than a converted store room, free access to dog owners throughout the crossing (unlike the car decks which are restricted) but secure through the use of a keypad entry lock, fresh water and bowls available and the last couple of times on there has been a radio available to play if you want it.  I've only had one trip where most of the kennels were full and normally my two are there on their own or with one other.  We have done the Harwich crossing half a dozen times and I've always found the staff to be great, really helpful and the new kennels make me feel much happier leaving the dogs there overnight (I've never done a day time sailing). 

Alternatively if you did want to leave the dog in the car (say on Dover to Calais) crossing then don't worry too much about the heat; the car decks, particularly the fully enclosed ones, are actually quite cool in the summer, and can often be as comfortable as the air conditioned passenger decks as they do have ventilation fans running throughout the voyage.  And no you wouldn't be allowed on the car deck whilst the ship is at sea (like you say for safety reasons) and the crew do check the decks and clear out any stragglers that try to hide in their cars for the crossing. 

I am going near Hannover in Germany. My only problem with the kennels is that my Bitch will be ready for mating and I wouldn't want to stress out any males dogs in the other kennels. I might take the eurotunnel to calais and drive from their. Thank you for all your help :-)

I did it the other way - drove to Hannover to pick up a pup... went from Hull to Rotterdam and back from Zeebrugge (no kennel spaces allegedly) but no dogs in kennels apart from my pup and it was massive!  He had far more room than if he'd stayed in the car so I was much happier as it was a long crossing.... not one of the modern ones so no CCTV or free access :-( but he did well.  Driving was great - going this way meant that I cut many miles off my journey, I drove to Calais and back and it was further then to Hull then to Hannover and home (1,000 miles just over to Calais and just under to Hannover via Hull).  Most people left their dogs in the car though.